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Mountain View, Berthoud strong at Martin Invite

Loveland No. 2 doubles in Windsor finals

By Sports Staff

Posted:
09/20/2013 09:39:41 PM MDT

Kiah Leonard

Cross Country

Martin Invitational

FORT COLLINS -- Wins came all across the board for local runners at the John Martin Invitational, with Mountain View's boys winning the boys Division II race behind individual champion Julian Von Holton. Berthoud was right behind, while the Spartans' Kiah Leonard wore the girls individual crown in the same division, helping her team take fourth.

"It was a great confidence builder for our boys, and a great race by Julian," MVHS coach Kevin Clark said. "Honestly, I couldn't be happier with our top three girls. They had a great day."

The Lions' girls ran in Division I, taking 14th, but Riley Cooney had the top local finish, placing sixth in 18:51. Von Holton crossed the tape in a time of 16:34.

Berthoud coach Kristi Leonard was equally as happy, saying Kiah was challenged to run out front and extend the lead, an approach she had success with on the day. Luke Spitz led the boys, taking third in 17:16.

"I think we're coming along," Kristi Leonard said. "Windsor had a really strong team on the girls side. They're in our conference and region, so we've got to keep working to beat them. That's a great showing for our boys. It's nice because they've been working at it since sixth and seventh grade."

Loveland coach Tim Jones said he had mixed feelings about the Indians' day, as both the boys and girls took 13th. It was the boys he was most impressed with as he felt they attacked the day.

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"I think we ran a little flat with everything going on; homecoming week is always messed up, but I was pleased with how the guys raced as a group," Jones said. "They decided to put themselves out there and take a chance."

Marcus Quere led the boys, taking 28th in 17:00. Katy East led the girls at 19:42.

Thompson Valley coach Matt Norton also expected a little more out of his team, and at the end of the day, he challenged them to get back to the level both he and they expect.

"Fort Collins and Cherry Creek girls are two of the best in the nation and they looked like it today," Norton said. "But we never put up a fight with either of them, and results from the first month indicated we could and should. After the race, I told the girls they are better than what they ran today, they will be better and they have to be better. They've worked too hard to settle for less than that. For the boys, we're still fighting inconsistency and the ability to pack up tighter. We have a lot to learn but I like our potential." Tennis

Windsor Invitational

WINDSOR -- While Loveland's singles play has been pretty strong all year, the doubles teams are starting to make up ground, with the No. 2 doubles team of Colton Poore and Thorin Palone leading the way after two rounds of the tournament.

Poore and Palone reached the finals at their spot, the only Indians line to do so. They swept past Greeley West to start the day, then beat Legacy in a three-setter. They'll face Windsor in the finals.

"They won all the big points all day," LHS coach Steve Williams said. "They're playing their best tennis of the season."

All three singles players, as well as the No. 1 doubles team, will play for third place as the Indians sit third with 35 points in the team standings. The only downside of the day was David Lee dropped his first match of the year at No. 2 singles.

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